Out with the Wicked Fat Chance, in with the ?

[hellocleveland]

With two sons under 3 and zero time to ride, I decided to find a good home for my Wicked Fat Chance. It was a 17.5 inch, which had been a hair too small for me since new in 1991 (so I never "connected" with it like I did my late-80s, 20 inch, pink and green Stumpjumer). Well, I have improved my time management skills and would love to get a new $600 hardtail. I have found a 2007 Fuji Tahoe Comp for $600 and a 2007 Cannondale F5 for $550. These bikes seem to have modern geometry that is new to me. Plus, my Fat had a rigid fork! Which should I buy and what size? Are there better options out there? Should I stick with steel? I long for a fillet brazed Kirk, but I have $600, not $6,000. My road bike, by the way, is a 56cm Trek 5500 and fits like a glove. Thanks!

[rockyrider]

That's not a lot to go on fit wise. The seat tube length is not as important as the top tube length. The seat post will adjust for seat tube variations, but if the top tube is too long or too short it won't feel comfortable and won't give you confidence while climbing/descending. Older rigid bikes tended to have short top tubes and steep head angles, but the old frame designations won't have a lot of relationship to what you're buying today.

So before you buy, give 'em a try, and make sure you can ride them up and down a hill before deciding.

[hellocleveland]

I am fairly certain that the top tube was 22.5 inches, which was plenty long for me. The chainstays were 16.75. I could stand over the bike, grab the stem and the saddle, and lift it about four inches before it would contact lycra. Any thoughts on the Cannondale or the Fuji (assuming I test ride both and get the right size)? Thanks!

[rockyrider]

For the most part similar $$$ gets you similar bikes and similar hardware spec, so it's more a matter of the individual preferences and whatever subtle differences there are in geometry. The Fuji has a better component spec, but it's possibly a bit heavier.